Alva Malka

Yoga Interview, London, UK

I know Alva for sometime now, first time we met in person was in the Om Yoga Show 2013, but we started talking online before that as we have a few friends in common and both of us come from the same little land in the middle east.She has something about her that is so welcoming a huge heart-warming smile that reflect beautifully in her yoga, I had such a lovely time having a walk in Richmond by the Thames taking some photos and having a nice conversation over Chai latte, this is the good life.

Her story and images for your pleasure

Q: How did you find out about yoga?I first heard about yoga from Hare Krishna devotees.I was 14 at the time, confused and on a mission to find my spiritual path. It seemed magical to me how joyful and centred they were.

Q: Why did you decide to start teaching yoga?I was considering the idea to teach yoga for many years, inspired and encouraged by my different teachers.

Eventually Swami Krishnadevananda came to me and said it’s about time I started sharing my knowledge with others. He made it sound as is if I’m keeping it all to myself – I had to take a step to change it.

Q: Where did you study teaching yoga?I researched lots of schools for teacher training and I was grateful to find Anne-Marie Newland of Sun Power Yoga, a disciple of Vishnudevananda.

Q: how long have you been teaching?I've been teaching Yoga for over two years now.

Q: Was there anything that was hard for you with your own personal practice? How did you overcome it?My greatest challenge was to balance my Asana practice with the Meditation.It took a broken foot and a year off my Asana practice to find that balance.

Q: how did yoga improve your life?Yoga is my way to create a peaceful space in my mind for my Self.